University of Chicago

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Get Your Chances of Admission at University of Chicago

University of Chicago ranks among the most selective colleges in the U.S. But every year thousands of talented applicants are accepted… could you be one of them? If you’re curious about your chances of admission at Chicago and other top colleges, Go4Ivy can help by calculating your highly-accurate, guaranteed chances of admission.

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About University of Chicago

The University of Chicago was founded in 1890 by the American Baptist Education Society and oil magnate John D. Rockefeller, who later described the University of Chicago as "the best investment I ever made." The land for the new university, in the recently annexed suburb of Hyde Park, was donated by Marshall Field, founder of the Chicago department store that used to bear his name (it has since been purchased by Macy's and renamed much to the chagrin of native Chicagoans).

The majority of undergraduate courses are small, discussion-based seminars, and undergraduate students routinely take their upper-level courses alongside graduate students. The College of the University of Chicago grants Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in 52 majors and 14 minors in the biological, physical, and social sciences, as well as in the humanities and interdisciplinary areas. A major may provide a comprehensive understanding of a well-defined field, such as anthropology or mathematics, or it may be an interdisciplinary program such as African and African-American studies, environmental studies, biological chemistry, or cinema and media studies. A full list of offered majors and minors is available within the college's main article.

Undergraduate students must undergo a rigorous core curriculum, the goal of which is to impart an education that is both timeless and a vehicle for interdisciplinary debate. Students must take courses designed to foster critical skills in a broad range of academic disciplines, including history, literature, science, mathematics, writing, and critical reasoning. Core curriculum classes at Chicago are capped at 25 students and are generally led by a full-time professor (as opposed to a teaching assistant).

First-year students are assigned to one of 37 houses through the university's house system. House sizes range from 25 to 100 members but typically consist of no more than 70 students. Each house is staffed with at least one upperclassman who acts as a Resident Assistant. Each house is also assigned a Resident Head family, typically upper level graduate students or staff at the university, who provide additional support. The house system serves as the focal point of university life, with each house offering amenities such as kitchens, common areas, and study rooms. A significant portion of the undergraduate student body, however, lives off-campus.

Art and culture play a vital role in the Chicago community. Artistic offerings such as theater, dance, and visual arts abound. Hyde Parks boasts a number of fine museums, including the famous Museum of Science and Industry.

Although University of Chicago may be best known for its academics, the college competes in Division III NCAA athletics, and many students are involved in intramural athletic organizations. Hyde Park, located next to Lake Michigan, and the surrounding area have many parks, zoos, and gardens for outdoor activities.